The chairman of the Indian selection panel MSK Prasad has said that the newly-formed selection panel will also be working on a new agenda of also picking a fitting playing XI for the international matches the Indians will be a part of in the future. However, in spite of all this, the fact of the matter remains that the team management of the coach, the captain, and the vice-captain are the ones that will take the final call on the squad.

Prasad said, “The selectors now are present at the meeting to name the eleven and their inputs are sought by the team management. We are a part of the process for selecting the playing XI.”

Advertisement

He added that one selector would personally go to stadiums to watch the matches. “One selector watches a Test match at home [the others, he said, were following domestic matches] while two travels with the team on tours.”

MSK Prasad also went on to add that it is important for the selectors to have an important rapport with the captain as has been the case in many a year previously. Prasad said, “The selectors have an excellent rapport with the captains for the different formats and coach Anil Kumble. We are all one team working together for the betterment of Indian cricket.”

Prasad said, “It has really worked, prevents injury-returned players from breaking down in matches. I was there in Vizianagaram to watch K.L. Rahul and saw for myself how well he had recovered from a hamstring strain. He batted beautifully and fielded well.”

Prasad said, “Sometimes, first class or domestic cricket is not taking place when we want to assess the fitness of a cricketer. Then, we even watch him in smaller games. In fact, two National selectors traveled to see paceman Mohammed Shami in action in a local league game. We want to be sure about a player’s fitness before selecting him again.”

Prasad also went on to justify the selection of the opening batsman conundrum the Indians are facing at the moment. “When Rahul was injured we had Gautam Gambhir. We also have other openers such as Shikhar Dhawan and Abhinav Mukund who is batting fantastically this season. Similarly, we want to create depth in all departments so that injuries do not affect the team.”

Prasad was pleased about India playing so many Tests this season. “I believe every home season must be like this. ODIs and Twenty20 cricket have more color but Test cricket is the real cricket.”